President Trump's tariffs on Chinese imports, particularly fireworks, are endangering the scale of Independence Day celebrations this year. Experts signal that due to the 145% tariffs imposed on fireworks—99% of which are manufactured in China—the industry faces severe challenges. Julie Heckman of the American Pyrotechnics Association points out that this comes on the heels of a difficult pandemic period and states that many small, family-owned businesses are struggling to survive amidst such tariffs. This could significantly impact the approximately 17,000 Fourth of July celebrations across the country.
The astronomical tariffs on China are threatening to blow up July 4th displays from sea to shining sea - as well as the small, family-run businesses that keep them stocked with the dazzling skyrockets.
‘The industry was completely shut down in 2020 - fireworks shows nationwide were canceled. All of those small family businesses, many of which are multi-generational, 100-plus-year-old businesses barely survived,’ she said, adding that the Trump tariffs are ‘absolutely’ a tax on small business.
How do you absorb 145%? Especially when this is the peak time for all of our products to come in from China.
Heckman said there are approximately 17,000 Fourth of July celebrations nationwide each year, from small towns to major metropolises.
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